Kenneth Longacre
Judy M. Vance
Iowa Center for Emerging Manufacturing Technology
Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50011
Richard DeVries
Vehicle Systems CAE
Car Product Development
Ford Motor Company
Dearborn, Michigan
Proceedings of the 6th AIAA/NASA/USAF Multidisciplinary Analysis and Optimization Symposium, Bellevue, WA, September 4-6, 1996, pp. 1275-1279.
Abstract
By using design sensitivity analysis (DSA) to approximate the change in an attribute response, a method of cross-attribute optimization was developed. This method and the software that supports it is independent of the analysis tools used to generate the baseline response, and DSA data. This software tool allows groups of engineers using different computer aided engineering tools to visualize how a design change will impact all aspects of a design. The software also allows the engineer to run an optimization based on the linear model of the system. This optimization will run quickly, allowing the engineer to do many “what if” studies without the need for a time consuming re-analysis of the system. The engineer can then take the results of the linear optimization and re-analyze any designs that look promising. This approach to cross-attribute optimization has been implemented at Ford Motor Company with success.
For a more information on this project, refer to the Research Project: Visualization of Structural Response Using Design Sensitivity Analysis.
